MUMBAI: Contrary to the perception that citizen’s lead a very restricted social life in Pakistan, Zee TV’s Sa Re Ga Ma 2012 contestant Zain Ali Khan opined that music and gaiety are very much alive in the country and musicians are very well-respected.
Twenty-two year old Khan, who hails from Lahore, is the lone finalist from the country on the music talent show. Khan qualified for the audition rounds held at Lahore along with five other contestants including a female. His friends were however eliminated in the following rounds held in Delhi and Mumbai.
Khan highlighted the fact that everybody loves to sing and listen to music in Pakistan and musicians get ample encouragement from family, friends and society. “Contrary to people’s perception, there is a lot of freedom for music and entertainment. The youth are free to enjoy themselves- go to the movies, have fun. Bollywood movies are big and singers like Sonu Nigam have a huge fan base,” he told Radioandmusic.com.
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He started singing at the age of five and practiced composing, writing with his elder brother. He further developed his singing talent under his grandfather Naeem Khan’s guidance. He has learnt recording in his family’s small recording unit.
“My idols are Sufi singers like Abida Parveen, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Ghulam Ali Khan ,Mohmammed Rafi, Sonu Nigam and Kailash Kher. I have developed my own style of singing and want to only focus on my singing and songwriting,” he shared.
Considering his versatility as his strength, Khan will not be a pushover when the competition heats up. The other 14 contestants will have to be aware that Khan already has experience with a number of concerts under his belt and has worked with established names like Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Fariha Pervez.
“The auditions of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa were very popular in Pakistan. Up to 1,200 singers from Lahore and the neighbouring towns participated in the auditions. My friends did not last till the final elimination rounds held at Delhi and Mumbai,” he said.
His two-months experience in India has so far been comfortable. He has called his family back home only once, and they are not ‘worried’ about Khan’s whereabouts in India. And he has ‘almost’ turned into a vegetarian thanks to the food here.
“I believe every song should have a message. I have come here to win. Sa Re Ga Ma Pa is not a destination but part of my journey ahead. If I win I plan to make an album, but my dream is to become a playback singer in Indian film industry,” he added.
